Job Description

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The Philippines' recent transition to upper-middle-income status has increased the importance of aligning economic growth with sustainability, digital transformation, and human rights accountability. As sectors such as mining, renewable energy, agribusiness, tourism, infrastructure, and digital platforms expand, governance challenges related to community grievances, land and resource disputes, labor rights, environmental impacts, and stakeholder participation persist, often disproportionately affecting women and marginalized groups.

To address these challenges, the Philippines initiated work on a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR), led by the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS). While several ASEAN countries have already institutionalized their NAPs, the Philippines remains in the development stage. Recent efforts have accelerated under the 4th Philippine Human Rights Plan 2024-2028, including the establishment of a multi-agency technical working group to develop a NAP-BHR focused on responsible business conduct, Indigenous Peoples' rights, and ancestral domains.

The FAIR BHR Project seeks to strengthen Business and Human Rights (BHR) governance by promoting more integrated, participatory, and evidence-based approaches that connect sustainability, human rights, accountability, conflict sensitivity, and stakeholder engagement. The project will support the Philippine government in building evidence, raising awareness, strengthening coordination, and fostering inclusive dialogue to inform BHR reforms.

The initiative will also promote stronger collaboration among UN agencies, leveraging complementary expertise and positioning UNDP as a strategic convener. As an initial pilot, the project will generate evidence and lessons to inform longer-term programming and the development of a comprehensive Project Document supporting the institutionalization of BHR in the Philippines.

UNDP is looking for a Project Coordinator who will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU). The post involves working under the overall guidance of the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programme Team and various key stakeholders to ensure that the project will achieve its intended objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure strategic management of the project and provide day-to-day financial and administrative management for the delivery of the project’s activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Lead the preparation and updating of the project’s annual work plan, human resources plan, procurement plan and M&E plan;
2. Ensure effective implementation of the project work plan, in keeping with UNDP’s Project management guidelines;
3. Manage project funds, maintain financial integrity, and ensure effective use of project resources;
4. Effective application of UNDP financial oversight through the Quantum enterprise management system;
5. With support from project staff, provide quality and timely financial reports, as per UNDP financial rules and regulations as well as Donor requirements;
6. Ensure delivery of outputs and contribution to outcomes through an effective implementation plan and close coordination with UNDP management and technical teams and other key stakeholders;
7. Provide overall coordination and oversight of all project activities;
8. Ensure accountability by leading the preparation and submission of comprehensive reports (monthly, quarterly, annual, and donor), aligning results with project objectives, addressing challenges, and providing insights to drive strategic decision-making and enhance overall project performance; and
9. Work closely with CO programme and finance teams to ensure efficient and transparent use of project resources in line with approved budgets and within UNDP rules and regulations.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships and coordination with key counterparts to ensure the strategic positioning of the project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

1. Build and maintain an effective working relationship with key partners and stakeholders;
2. Work closely with the project team and stakeholders to ensure that the project outputs are delivered on time, meet set standards of quality, and are useful to stakeholders;
3. Promote coordination, dialogue, and good practice knowledge sharing among stakeholders; and
4. Ensure effective collaboration with the UN agencies and other development partners.

Support resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Identify and collaborate with potential partners to leverage Project funds and results to formulate new interventions and identify new resource mobilization opportunities;
2. Develop concept notes, project proposals, and project document to support pipeline development and resource mobilization.

Support human resources management focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Supervise personnel members under the PMU and provide necessary guidance and coaching; and
2. Set performance parameters for staff members under the PMU, assess their performance, and provide feedback.

Ensure facilitation of communications, knowledge management, and advocacy focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to project goals; and
2. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Coordinator will lead the Project Management Unit (PMU) based in UNDP Country Office in Metro Manila and is expected to lead the implementation and monitoring of the activities under the project.

Under the direct supervision of the Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programme Team Leader, the Project Coordinator is expected to work closely with the I&P Programme Analyst – Governance and Rule of Law that provides programme assurance for the project, and collaborative with other UNDP Country Office Programme and Operations teams. S/he is also expected to collaborate with relevant government agencies, UN agencies, and other key stakeholders.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Development: Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management: Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management: Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience

• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management: Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.

• Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Partnership management: Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations trust and mutual understanding.

Partnership management: Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.

Policy and Programme: Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Business and Human Rights

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Human Rights, Public Policy, Development Studies, Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Governance, or a related field is required. OR
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in fields mentioned above with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advance university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of two (2) years (with master’s degree) or four (4) years (with bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience in project or programme coordination and implementation.

• Budget and financial monitoring
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership management.
• Working with government institutions, development partners, civil society, or private sector stakeholders.

Required Skills:

• At least two (2) years of demonstrated work experience in managing public administration, governance, public policy, and/or research-related projects;
• At least two (2) years of demonstrated work experience in research and analysis;
• At least two (2) years’ experience in resource mobilization;
• At least two (2) years of demonstrated experience leading/managing a team.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in Business and Human Rights, responsible business conduct, corporate sustainability, human rights, labour rights, governance, or related areas;
• Experience and knowledge of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs);
• Experience working on UNDP, UN, donor funded, or international development projects or international organizations.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in the English and Filipino languages is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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